Otto Pizza is one of 12 Maine companies on Inc. magazine’s list of the 5000 fastest growing companies.
Under Construction: Nom Bai
The Press Herald reports that a new food truck called Nom Bai is under development.
The truck is owned by Matthew Glatz, owner of the Salt Box Café, a “tiny house food truck” that serves breakfast and brunch on the Eastern Promenade. Glatz recently built a new food truck for hibachi cooking and has hired Sovanna Neang, who is from Cambodia, to run it.
Nom Bai (instagram, facebook) is slated to serve “Cambodian and Vietnamese street food”.
Biddeford: Rover Bagel, Part & Parcel
The last few years has seen a significant increase in the number of new food industry business in Biddeford including a culinary bookstore, 2 breweries, a distilleries (and another one under construction), the renewed Palace Diner, an ice cream shop, 2 pizzerias, a coffeeshop/bookstore, a donut shop and a wine bar to name just a few.
They’re now being joined by:
- Rover Bagel (instagram, facebook) a wood-fired bagel company from the Boston area that’s setting up their home base of operations in Biddeford. Owners Alec Rutter and Kim Chaurette have leased space on Elm Street next to Tran’s Market. They recently had a Le Panyol wood oven delivered and hope to open in September.
- Part & Parcel (website, instagram, facebook) is a gourmet foods store selling “artisanal cheeses and charcuterie items, chocolates and confections, small housewares, oils and spices, and gourmet gifts” as well as prepared foods. The owners have leased space at 17 Alfred Street and hope to open in October.
Under Construction: Maine Craft Distilling
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Here’s a look inside the new Maine Craft Distilling tasting room and distillery under construction at 123 Washington Ave. The 10,880 sq ft space includes a spacious tasting room, greatly expanded distillery space filled with new equipment, and a large barrel ageing room that will be available for special functions. Davidson will be launching a CSA-like program (community supported distillery?) to sell single barrels of spirits in advance.
The MCD crew are in the final stages of getting the tasting room ready and will be announcing an opening day shortly. MCD is co-located in the same building where the new Island Creek Oyster Bar is in development.
Cheap Eats
The Portland Phoenix has published their annual cheap eats guide.
Reviews: Chaval, Cong Tu Bot, Mini Mogadishu, North 43, OhNo Cafe, Roma Cafe
The Portland Phoenix and Portland Press Herald have reviewed Chaval,
Caiola’s may have brought elevated dining to the West End 12 years ago, but Chaval has redefined the concept of what a neighborhood restaurant in Portland is capable of being today. If month one is an indication of things to come, Sansonetti, Lopez and team are here to stay. [Phoenix]
The Blueberry Files has reviewed Cong Tu Bot,
The bun cha was also a hit, a base of vermicelli noodles with pork patties and fresh vegetables on the side. I opted to combined all of the dishes into one. Bun cha is a dish of contrast: fatty pork against fresh herbs, soft noodles cut by crunchy peanuts and fried onions, all deeply satisfying.
the Maine Sunday Telegram has reviewed Mini Mogadishu,
Since opening late last year, Mini Mogadishu has found its groove preparing a limited menu of homey, halal Somali classics – favorites of chefs and co-owners Nimo Saeed and Halimo Mohamud…When you visit, be sure to order the vegetarian Somali aanjera, which consists of golden brown, crepe-like pancakes used to scoop up mouthfuls of gently spicy, tomato-based Somali chili; a bowl of savory slow-simmered brown lentils; and tangy, sautéed spinach tossed with puréed jalapeño peppers and lime.
Peter Peter Portland Eater has reviewed North 43,
In the end, North 43 Bistro didn’t blow me away, but they weren’t bad either. Their service was friendly, but it was a little on the slow side. My drink was good, but my wife’s lacked flavor. Our food was mostly good too, but my cheese – cooked in or not – was too sparse to be included in the name of the item. I’d go back, but probably after they have a little more time to get going. The restaurant is only about a month old and I believe they’ll improve. Except for their location. That’s just about perfect already.
the West End News has reviewed OhNo Cafe, and
My BLT was delicious. It seemed a clever idea to feature shrimp. And the ingredients held-up well on the substantial roll. My friend’s choice: not so much. While he enjoyed his meal, he thought that the mild flavor of the crab cake was lost in, and dominated by, the bread.
The Golden Dish has reviewed the Roma Cafe,
The chicken parm was one of the best—no, make it the best—in Portland. The veal Milanese was also admirable with its fine coating of crisp breading with a touch of lemon. Really everything was lick-your-plate-clean good. And those meatballs were the real thing: rich, tender, large orbs of meat in a hearty tomato sauce with perfectly cooked spaghetti.
A Call for Weekly Reviews
A letter to the editor from Kennebunk resident Deborah Mathieu has asked why the Maine Sunday Telegram doesn’t publish a restaurant review 52 weeks of the year.
With fewer people reading newspapers, I would think the Press Herald would make it a priority to have write-ups that are of local interest and not from the Associated Press, which one can read anywhere.
Really, if you can’t find someone to do a weekly review, then it’s time to have more than one writer.
Mainely Hotdogs
Mainebiz has published an article about Mainely Hotdogs and its owner Derke Gibbs.
In case you missed it, July was national hot dog month, but the occasion wasn’t lost on Derke Gibbs, who started his Mainely Hotdogs push cart business at the corner of Commercial and Silver streets in Portland’s Old Port last month.
Alan Spear
Maine Icons has published a profile of Alan Spear, co-owner of Coffee by Design.
The property Spear and Lindemann found for the company’s first coffeehouse wasn’t in what many would consider an ideal location. In 1994, instead of being known as the Arts District, Congress Street had a much seedier reputation. The space the two leased was located near the State Theater, which at the time was known more for its adult film showings than its concerts. But it was also conveniently located across the street from the Maine College of Art, home to students in need of caffeine.
Trattoria Fanny Has Closed
Trattoria Fanny has gone out of business.
Friends, we will miss serving you. Trattoria Fanny has shut its doors. Thanks for the good memories. For a brief moment, we had something beautiful here. We will miss it dearly.